Arizona Roads - Old US 80, Ocean to Ocean Br.

Old US 80, Yuma: Ocean to Ocean Bridge



The original US 80 bridge across the Colorado River was constructed in 1914, and the railroad bridge next to it is barely newer at 1923. (It's rare in the development of the West for a highway to predate a railroad, but there you have it.) These photos look north (old US 80 WB) from Yuma to what John Nevels tells me is Quechan Indian Reservation, and what he also tells me is still Arizona. US 80 bears west into California just over the bridge, but what's now the main road stays in Arizona for another half-mile, just about defining the western boundary north of the Colorado.


All the way from Omaha, and under the auspices of the U.S. Indian Department, since it does cross into that reservation.


Continuing north/WB, up to the St. Thomas Yuma Indian Mission, probably a whole lot newer than its style of construction.


Back south/EB into Yuma. Unlike the Ocean to Ocean Bridge, the railroad bridge makes its construction date obvious.


Looking east along the Colorado River, above the level of the railroad. I'm standing in California, but looking at Arizona.


Views of the bridges from Gateway Park in Yuma on the southern shore of the Colorado River. The lettering lights up every night, but I had to get to San Diego with enough light for sign photos, so I couldn't dawdle here.


Bridge photos don't count as dawdling. And once I'd waded into the river (and I was far from the first to do so on this warm spring day) and took these photos, I decided that a leisurely swim doesn't count as dawdling, either. There's quite a strong current here, making walking difficult and swimming almost impossible. I mean, you can go upstream with enough effort, but crossing the river will not happen in any sort of horizontal path.


Looking west from the Yuma Territorial Prison historic site, which is worth the visit for more than just bridge photos. (Unless you only like bridges, in which case I pity you.)

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